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Organised confusionSUMMER, THAT’S THE months of May, June and July, right? Well no, not according to Met Éireann.
According to the Irish meteorological agency, summer is in fact the months of June, July and August. It even says so in this ‘Fun Facts for Young Primary Students’ leaflet.
Although when many of us were primary school students, we would have been told by our teachers that summer is the months of May, June and July and that August is the beginning of autumn.
So which is it and why the confusion?
According to Met Éireann, summer is defined as the three warmest months of the year. The agency bases its definition on climatological data over a nearly 30-year period.
That definition is in line with most European institutes’ definition of summer and with what the World Meteorological Organisation says.
Strictly speaking, the seasons are defined by the annual changes in the weather but how do we know exactly when the first daffodil of spring has started blooming or the first leaf of autumn has fallen from the trees?
As Met Éireann explains in this document:
The use of these astronomically defined dates for the start of the seasons is due, in the main, to the need, seen by diary manufacturers and quiz masters and the like, for definitive dates.
But even so those definitive dates differ when it comes to what many of us were taught in school.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) told TheJournal.ie that in the primary school system the focus is on the Irish approach to seasons as reflected in the Irish language and in local custom and practice in classes for infants.
This refers to the fact that here in Ireland we define 1 February as the first day of spring after St Bridget, the patron saint of cattle and dairy work, from early Christian times. This was initially a pagan festival Imbolc, celebrating the new year on the farm.
Still confused as to when summer is?
Well you shouldn’t be. The NCAA adds:
Older students would also be introduced to the meteorological description in addition to the cultural practice.It does not cause confusion, [it] raises lots of interesting points for discussion and there are no plans to amend this approach.
In any case, any move to change the early primary school curriculum to line up with Met Éireann’s definition of summer would be a big one and according to a spokesperson for the Department of Education:
At the present time that’s the curriculum that has been there from year dot.A decision to change would not be taken lightly with the amount of textbooks out there.
With the current [economic] climate, this would be a huge thing.
Genuinely, does FFG feck ups and deliberate scew ups surprise anyone anymore. Children’s hospital, the tunnel project, e voting. Then you have the Moriarty and Mahon Tribunals. Bank bailouts. They have a long list to justify why they should not be there, yet they control the media and tell us there is no alternative.
@Cal Mooney: let’s not forget “Frankfurt’s Way or Labour’s Way” – Eamon Gilmore. The biggest and most costly broken election promise of them all.
If the State continues to put its own administrative convenience above the legal rights of its citizens, it risks losing their trust and confidence.
Bit late there with latest polls…
Ffg decline is in free fall..
Suitably identify themselves = State owned and issued passport. Who do I call to get paid??
The PSC is nothing else but a Biometric National ID card by the back door.
Wait until 3 million people have to pay more tax to cover the cost of compensating themselves, plus legal fees of course
@Frank Martin: wrong, there will be one test case then a class action suit can be taken.
@Susan Adair Farrelly: Aah Susan. Who do you think will be paying the bill then? Maybe you missed the point.
@Susan Adair Farrelly: we don’t have class action suits in Ireland. The legal profession will make money on each case.
Public consultation probably would have helped and I for one have no issues with this card, but like everything our government does is to force a foolish idea that there own party come up with without getting a full insight into the pro’s and con’s and the repercussions, and yet again no one will be held accountable.
@Gavin R: hold a\c at elections only way to solve this deliberate incompetence
@Gerard Heery: they are all incompetent…only good at feathering their own nest. The model needs to change…politicians should never be allowed to get close to our tax money…
@Gerard Heery: genuine question, how do we do that with what’s on the table, I understand fully what you are saying but that’s not going to happen, as there is no party I would pick out of the one’s on offer, they’ll all sell you the sun, moon and star’s until their in.
What? Even more expensive that the e-voting fiasco??
@Stephen Duffy: Paragraph 1.
@Stephen Duffy: I was even more shocked that 300m paid out to army personal because someone behind a desk decided ear protectors weren’t needed …when firing a gun resting beside your ear.
@Orla Smith: much obliged. Missed that. Only €55 m plus storage costs..!! Simon Harris would go through that in a week..!!!
@Stephen Duffy: only a smidgen more expensive than the €50m field that was bought at Thornton Hall for a prison. I’m sure somebody will be held accountable and heads will roll. Ha, as if!
It’s effectively an anti-fraud measure, designed to protect our taxes and ensure that they go where they’re supposed to go. I fail to see how anyone could have a problem with that.
If you want services or money from the state, get a card. If you don’t want to get a card, that’s your choice and your right. What’s the problem?
@John Mulligan: was it not shown that social welfare fraud was actually miniscule after Leo’s big pr campaign to rat ppl out. I remember there being a bit of a backlash by the public and interest groups at the time that it seemed to be impinging on ppls rights and they pushed on anyway without any delay. You then had to sign up online to submit more information. It was v much pushed on ppl. Another example of FG being arrogant pr!cks.
@John Mulligan: Read up about the Indian Aadhaar Card and it’s intended purpose. The very same as given by the Irish government. See the reality of what such a card can do. The Aadhaar card is made by the same company that makes the PSC.
I think and i hope FF and FG’s days are numbered. They are pure political disasters, totally unfit to run the country.
The article talks continuously of citizens. My wife is not a citizen of Ireland but has a PSC. Will she be excluded?
The Daily does not sit on Mondays and Fridays. Only mugs work every day
@Toby Fish: So it doesn’t sit daily
@Frank Martin: no
As much as I try, I cannot understand the problem with having this ID card!
@Mary Lyons: why is it required to apply for and sit driver theory test?
@Susan Adair Farrelly: Eh, so no one else can sit it for you?
@Mary Lyons: There is a need to correlate the different state administrations to ensure overall efficient operation, not least to prevent evasion & criminality.
For example, co- ordinating driving licence issuance with revenue, social services, vehicle & property ownership would enable the state to reduce tax evasion & welfare abuse.
The justice system needs to have every tool in the state data bank to combat modern criminality, subject to lawful access, & it is proper that our law provides that access. Repeat, only the state data bank, not the private data bank of citizens, except where court warrant is justified in pursuance of criminal investigation. These court warrants are specific, not general.
Electoral voting machines anyone?
Our idiot politicians thankfully don’t have enough power to destroy the planet but they sure do have enough power to destroy Ireland, and its one of the very few things they’re doing a pretty good job of.
What is actually the problem with the PSC. The only people who have any reasonable reason to fear this card are the scammers.
@Peter Buchanan: Exactly, there is absolutely no new information ‘on’ this card. Don’t want to get one for your pension or dole? Fine, don’t get one. See where that gets you.
So, a card we created (via our public representatives) has infringed our own rights and we must compensate ourselves with our own money? Any lawyers involved in this scheme by any chance?
I find it disgusting that what was created to stop welfare fraud and help provide public services is now perceived as a easy money making venture by lawyers and claimants. The GDPR was brought in to stop exploitation of data for private gain and was primarily aimed at the private industries. Also it was brought in May last year well after the card was introduced. And its presented as an opt in card, a person doesn’t have to apply but you they wont get free public services. What is wrong with that.
This is proof that a large percentage of Irish people are little better than scammers……a national ID card that protects taxpayers against social welfare fraud etc is what any intelligent society should have.
@IRL77: It seems yourself and Pat have both entirely missed the point of the article. A biometric ID card must comply with all applicable data protection laws. The PSC doesn’t do this and the government is carrying on regardless.
If there’s a right way and a wrong way to do something, our government invariably pick the wrong way and it always seems to end up costing the beleaguered taxpayers of this pretend republic.
@Will: it is NOT a “biometric ID card”
@Peter Buchanan: You do realise that a photo, such as that found on every PSC card, IS biometric data? Therefore the PSC card IS a biometric ID card.
This article is disingenuous. An investigation is ongoing with the Data Protection Commission. Of course DEASP are not going to release their submission until after the investigation is completed. Neither would Simon McGarr if it was one of his clients who was accused of wrongdoing. Surely ICCL should have put in the FOI request to the Data Protection Commission, not the Department.
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